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Czech Cabinet Quits as Tycoon Premier Heads for More Talks

  • Babis’s minority cabinet remains in caretaker role for now
  • President Zeman vowed to give Babis second chance for cabinet
Andrej Babis speaks during a session of the Czech Parliament in Prague on Jan. 16.

Andrej Babis speaks during a session of the Czech Parliament in Prague on Jan. 16.

Photographer: Michal Cizek/AFP/Getty Images

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Czech billionaire Andrej Babis headed for fresh political talks aimed at forming a majority cabinet after his first government failed to win a vote of confidence in parliament and was forced to resign on Wednesday.

Potential coalition partners snubbed Babis on concerns he may be charged over alleged fraud. Still, the month-old cabinet may remain in a caretaker mode. President Milos Zeman has vowed to appoint Babis as premier again, giving him another chance to rule. The second-richest Czech said Wednesday he’ll hold preliminary talks with the Social Democrats, his former coalition partners.